Infectious disease possible in death

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Jun 10, 2007 | by BRIAN NEWSOME THE GAZETTE

A female's suspicious death at Memorial Hospital on Friday is being investigated by health authorities as possibly caused by a communicable disease.

The patient, whose name or age wasn't released, arrived at the emergency room in the morning and was later placed in a room with an isolated-air system as a precaution, said Sharon Miracle, hospital spokeswoman. People entering the room were required to wear protective gear.

The patient died several hours later.

The El Paso County Department of Health and Environment sent communicable-disease specialists to the hospital and is conducting tests for tuberculosis and other infectious diseases. Test results won't be complete until early next week, said department spokeswoman Susan Wheelan.

"Based upon what we know now, I don't feel there's any threat to the public," she said.

Memorial Hospital routinely communicates with the Health Department, but site visits are rare, Miracle said. Wheelan said health authorities often conduct on-site investigations when diseases are suspected, but in the case of Memorial Hospital, she said medical staff there usually don't need the assistance.

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